Home | Blogs and Opinion | Mike's Diary Archive 2005 | Mackerel flying collar rigs and big fish fighting tactics

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Mackerel flying collar rigs and big fish fighting tactics

Mike Thrussell 27 September, 2005 04:35:00

FLYING MACKEREL
On a wreck fishing trip the other week, I was listening to a couple of anglers moaning about the small size of pollack they were catching. Their best fish maybe went 7lbs, though they were catching plenty of them. They were only using smallish rubber eels and jellyworms up to 6-inches or so. Having a quick glance in their box I figured they were the biggest they had.

I've seen this scenario acted out on trips loads of times, and there is a solution that can find much bigger fish, though you won't catch the numbers.

What you do is to leave the same flying collar rig with the boom on you use for fishing the rubber eels, but switch the eel for a large size 8/0 hook, something like a Mustad O/Shaughnessy 3406, good and dependable. I'd also up rate the strength of your hook trace to 40lbs and make it shorter at about 10-feet maximum.

mackerel.jpg
Rigging mackerel for the flying collar
Your bait will be a whole mackerel, ideally a half-pound or more in weight. Herring is just as good. Don't panic at the size of this bait. 10lb pollack will sometimes barf up a whole mackerel near a pound in weight when you land them. Cut the tail off the mackerel and with a sharp knife cut the fillets up from the tail free of the backbone for about 4-inches and remove that section of the backbone. Put the hook just once vertically through the jaws of the mackerel.

The way to fish this is to drop it all the way to the bottom, then begin a slow steady retrieve, much like you do when Redgilling, but pause occasionally to let the bait fall in the water. Pollack are just as likely to take this bait as it actually drops in the water during the pause as well as when being retrieved. The take is more dramatic than when they engulf a rubber eel. They hit the mackerel with a savage lunge and instantly smash their way back towards the wreck. It's a highly effective method for autumnal pollack.

This method, if used consistently, will produce a far higher yield of 15lb plus pollack than rubber eels ever will. If you decide to give this method a real go with the sole aim of getting a real specimen out, then stick to a 6 to 8oz rated uptider and a multiplier like the ABU 7000C, but up rate your main reel line to 22lbs. I dislike braid for this type of fishing though. Stick to mono to get the cushioning effect at the take and set the clutch slightly lighter than you would normally and adjust when the fish is hooked.

TIPS AND TRICKS
If you're fishing a tide with heavy weed continually getting clogged on the leader knot, then don't waste time picking it off bit by bit. It's often quicker to cut the leader near the knot, let the weed slide off the leader and re tie it. This is what competitive matchmen do to save time and frustration.

STAND UP FIGHT TACTICS FOR BIG FISH

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How to tackle big fish
Fighting big fish is an art. Try and use brute force and there's a good chance you'll lose fish like sharks, big conger and common skate that easily top 100lbs.

The way you stand is crucial. When the rod pulls hard over in to it's full fighting curve you need to bend your knees a little and tilt your body backwards to keep the back straight. This is called the "lock-in" position and with you leaning backwards a little and the fish pulling the rod over at an angle you'll find the balance point between you and the fish. Get the balance point right and you can hold the rod in full compression for minimum effort and energy expenditure from yourself.

Achieving the correct balance point and holding the lock-in position keeps the weight off your back. This is key to success. Fish any other way stood up and the weight transfers to your lower back, which will ache badly in just a few short minutes sapping your energy and making the fight uncomfortable and a one sided affair in favour of the fish.

On big stubborn common skate and conger that might sit tight straight underneath the boat, then as you lock in put your knees up against the boat gunnel to further brace yourself. This gives grip to your feet and helps you maintain good balance on the boat if the sea is rough and the boat pitching in the swell.

When you feel the fish giving a little, use short upwards strokes of the rod, and on each downward stroke wind on a little line to the reel. On very big heavy fish these short pumps of the rod are more effective than longer strokes. Use your knees to do this by slightly straightening the knees and legs to bring the leg muscles in to play and create upward lifting power. Some of the strongest muscles in the body are in the legs, that's why Health and Safety experts tell us to always lift by bending at the knees but keeping the back straight. The biggest mistake of all, and the most common, is to rely on arm power instead of leg power. When fighting huge fish the arms only really hold the rod and wind line back on the reel.

During prolonged fights of an hour or more you'll find that your hands tighten and begin to ache through gripping the rod grip. Swap hands when the fish is either dormant or just using it's weight, or running away from you fast.